Crucial Arizona Senate Race Determines Open SCOTUS Spot

The recent death of Supreme Court justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has ratcheted up the importance of Arizona’s U.S. Senate race for some of the state’s voters.

“The senate race in Arizona is crucial,” said Jacob Hamilton, a registered democrat in Arizona. “We are currently looking at what could be the Democratic upset of a lifetime.”

Hamilton, like many other voters, is concerned that the outcome of the Supreme Court appointment lies in the hands of who wins Arizona’s Senate election. Because the winner will be completing the term of former Sen. John McCain, they will be seated in November, not January, when the rest of the senators will take the oath of office.

“When it comes to making a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, Washington shouldn’t rush that process for political purposes,” said Democratic Senate candidate Mark Kelly in a press release statement posted on his website. Because of Ruth Bader Ginsburg's influence on the Supreme court over the last 27 years, it is important to take time and consideration when determining the new Supreme Court Justice, he said.

This election is important to Arizonans because of “an upcoming case about healthcare and protections for pre-existing conditions,” Kelly said. Kelly is a supporter of the Affordable Care Act. McSally has advocated for repealing the law, which has expanded health insurance access to millions of Americans.

“I’m passionate to provide more choices, but this government takeover of healthcare is dangerous,” said McSally during the 2020 Senate debate. “Make no mistake, the public option means the government is competing with private health insurance. They’re never going to be able to compete.”

In a rebuttal to McSally, Kelly said Senator McSally took money from health insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies but voted to eliminate protections for those with pre-existing conditions. She also voted to increase prescription drug costs for seniors. “That’s not putting Arizona first,” said Kelly.

Because this senate election is a special election, meaning this election is being held to fill a vacancy, there is no statute or law that explicitly says when the winner will be sworn into office according to Democratic lawyer Andrew Gordon in an interview with ABC News. This means that Kelly or McSally may be able to take the office in time to cast a crucial vote on President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee.

If Kelly wins, the Republican Senate majority will shrink, potentially creating an upset to Trump’s Supreme Court nomination.

Trump nominated Amy Coney Barrett to the position and he wants the Senate to confirm his choice quickly.

McSally lost in the last senate election in 2018 and she was appointed to the senate seat by Governor Doug Ducey after John McCain died.

According to Monmouth University polls, Kelly has consistently had higher polling results over McSally. Since the first and only U.S. Senate debate in Arizona on October 6, Kelly has only widened and strengthened his lead against McSally.

If Kelly wins then there will be 52 republican seats and 48 democratic seats in the senate chamber.

“I am extremely hopeful and optimistic that Mark Kelly will win Arizona,” said Hamilton. “We voted against McSally once before. It will be no surprise this time around.”